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Bluebell Wood celebrate Christmas early with players from Rotherham United

Players from Rotherham United’s first-team squad took time out of their busy schedule this week to meet children, young adults, and their families at Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

The Millers team, including Richard Wood, Stephen Kelly and Peter Odemwingie, spent time signing autographs, posing for photos, and handing out gifts to children and families at the hospice. Staff from Rotherham United Community Sports also joined the team, some of whom were visiting Bluebell Wood for the first time.

During their visit, the team also presented a cheque for £2,000, which will help Bluebell Wood be there for families during the toughest of times. Rotherham United Community Sports also posed for a photo, after raising £108.72 from their recent Christmas Jumper Day for the hospice.

Bluebell Wood provides care and support for children and young adults with life-shortening and life-threatening conditions; and their families. This includes end of life care, short breaks, music therapy, counselling, sibling support, home visits and more.

Lee Frecklington, Rotherham United Club Captain said: “I would like to say a huge thank you to the staff, volunteers and children at Bluebell Wood for inviting us to spend time with them at such a special time of year.

“The staff at the hospice do a tremendous job, and we are looking forward to continuing our partnership with Bluebell Wood into 2017.”

Anna Gott, Community Fundraiser for the Rotherham area, said: “It means so much to us that the players from Rotherham United could take time out of their busy schedule to give our children an early Christmas at the hospice.

“For some of the families we support, this could be their last Christmas together, so we are so grateful to Rotherham United for helping them create some very special memories that they can treasure forever.”

It costs more than £4m to keep Bluebell Wood’s doors open every year, and they only receive around 10% of funding from the government. To find out how you can support Bluebell Wood and the 250 children they care for; both at the hospice and in the community, please visit www.bluebellwood.org.